Question on MSI Motherboard 865GM2

[exp626stitch]

Does anyone knows if I can power up a motherboard and have it POST with a older bios.

I had a Celeron 1.7 processor Socket 478 in a MSI Motherboard 865GM2-LS with an older bios version 5.1 or 5.2. My processor burned out. I replaced the processor it with a Celeron D340. But I know the older bios does not support the Celeron D Processor but the newer bios version 5.5 does support the Celeron D's.

Can I install the new processor and still have the system st least POST, so I can install the new bios. Or do I have to find a older non Prescott processor for the system to POST so I can install the new bios.

[Sweeper]

First, does it Post? Can you boot up to a floppy and flash from it? If there is no post then you should have updated the BIOS before the new CPU. See if you can find an older CPU and use it to flash the BIOS.

[exp626stitch]

I don't know if it will POST, I haven't tried it yet. I wanted to know if I tried to install without the new bios would damage the mobo or the Processor. I know it's cheap(both)but I don't want to go Fry's or find another one on-line for a new one.

Thanks for your help.

[Sweeper]

It won't damage the CPU, it will just report the wrong speed and or not post.